ML20125D485

Responds to NRC Ltr Re Violations Noted in Insp Rept 50-166/92-01 on 921006-08.Corrective Actions:Geli Detector Was Recalibrated for Standard Planchet Suitable for Charcoal Evaluation

ML20125D485
Person / Time
Site:	University of Maryland
Issue date:	12/07/1992
From:	Dieter G MARYLAND, UNIV. OF, COLLEGE PARK, MD
To:	NRC OFFICE OF INFORMATION RESOURCES MANAGEMENT (IRM)
References
NUDOCS 9212150222
Download: ML20125D485 (3)

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UNIVERSITY OF M ARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK COLMEL OF INGINITMNG OM1CE 01:1110 DEAN December 7,1992 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Conunission -

ATTN: Document Control Desk .

Washington, D.C. 20555 SUIMECT: REPI,Y TO A NOTICE OF VIOLATION BE: NRC REPORT NO. 50- 166 /92-Q1 DOCKET NO. 50-166 LICENSE NO. 70 During an NRC inspection conducted on October 6-8, 1992, three violations of NRC requirements were identified. In accordance with the " General Statement of Policy and Procedure for NPC Enforcement Actions," 10 CFR Part 2. Appendix C (Enforc trent Policy), the violations were delivered via post in the form of a Notice of Violation, and received in my office on November 30,1992. In response to these violations, and pursuant to 10 CFR 2.201, this letter _

summartzes the University's actions to correct the violations so as to achieve full compliance with NRC rules and re;'ulations.

VIOLATION # 1 Ruis: Equl}; ment for the evaluation of air enples is not calibrated and the results are not evaluatea.

Corrective Action: The reactor's gel! detector has subsequently been calibrated for a standard planchet suitable for charconi evaluation. The calibration is based on NIST standard reference materials.

Preventive Rtion: A check list has been prepared and will be reviewed nr vMy by the Reactor Director.

Date of Comollenec: December 31,1992 d h

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YJDIATION #2 lhtsb: Since January 1991, the equipment for evaluating f ss gamma activity was not calibrated and the results are not properly evaluated. With thilyDlallqn we take exceptiqih Although the documents to demonstrate calibration were not found during the inspection, the calibration was regularly performed.

Corrective Action: In response to this administrative weakness, the Gelt detector was recalibrated for a standard M rinelli container. The N!ST traceable calibration is maintained in the reactor files.

L)tnventive Action: The monthly evaluations will now require review for corrosion and fission byproducL. )

Date of Comnllance: December 31,1992 i YlfllATION # 3 Baum: Survey records from sample irradiations were not maintained.

Corrective / Preventive Actiorl: In response, survey meter results are now recorded on the sample irradiation form and monthly swipes have been initiated.

Date of Compliance: December 31,1992 COECl@M The inspector also noted a concern regarding health physics support for the reactor. It was noted that the original safety evaluations were based on an 1IP staff of five. '!he original staff included two senior and two junior "on-site" HP professicnals, an<l one IIP professional responsible for radioactive waste disposal. Tode we 0 have two senior IIP's (T. Iong and E. Blackburnt and two jantor ilP's (S. Pierpoint and S. Iland) located in the same building as the eactor, The review determined that the junior IIP's had the same education and training as the junior IIP's of the original staff. In addition, the University's increased hazardous waste activitics have resulted in the establishment of a separate, en-campus. five person Ihtzr.rdous Waste Management Group which is now respoasible for the campus radioactive waste disposal, in addition to other regulated waste. Thus, the number of quallfled IIP professionals has not changed over the last 15 years.

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The current level and quality of IIP support was discussed with -

the reactor staff, the IIP staff, the Reactor Safety Committee, and the Radiation Safety Committee. All groups cgreed that the current HP staff was sufficle it to mict the current reactor work load. However, the staff's work load is increasing as a result of the growth of radiation laboratories on campus with their concomitant administrative obligations, in response to this concern, the Acting Director of the

-University's Department of Environmental Safety has assured the Radiation Safety Committee that the level of health physics services would continue to be maintained at levels adequate to meet regulatory requirements in the future, if there are any questions regarding the technical aspects of this response, please contact the Acting Reactor Director, Dr. Wtdter -

Chappas f.301-405-7448).

Sincerely, George E. Dieter, Dean College of Engineering GED/cp cc: W.J. Chappas G. A. Pertmer M. Wuttig R.W. Ryan E.W. Blackburn i l

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